Ag News and Views: April 2009 Table of Contents

April, 2009 Table of Contents News & Views Archive Issues

Division Director
Reflections on the Past 42 Years by Wadell Altom
Reflecting on changes observed during more than 42 years of employment at the Noble Foundation can be overwhelming. By the time you read this, I will be enjoying retirement.

Economics
Managing Through Tough Economic Times by Dan Childs
During a recent phone conversation with one of our more senior cooperators, I asked, "Have you lived through any more economically challenging times than now?" He answered, "No, I think these are the most challenging times I have ever experienced."

Livestock
Simmer Down Your Cow Herd by Clay Wright
A trait exhibited by a cow herd or individuals within a herd that saves time and money is referred to as a "convenience trait." Examples are polledness, parasite resistance, heat tolerance and calving ease.

Pasture and Range
Getting More Out of Less by James Rogers
Getting more out of less is an attractive concept in tough economic times. In 2008, average cow costs ran around $534 per head including depreciation - averages can be deceiving.

Research
Healthcare Study Has Implication for Livestock Farmers by Jon Biermacher and John Blanton
A research study in the February 2009 issue of American Journal of Agricultural Economics found that increasing the number of animal units by 100,000 in any county results in a 7.4 percent increase in infant mortality.

Soils
Are Low Rate Herbicide Applications Worth the Risk? by James Locke
With the tight profit margins agricultural producers face, the need to control input costs is greater than ever. As input costs rise, we naturally try to reduce these costs whenever we can. One cost-cutting approach producers often ask about is reducing herbicide rates, sometimes to below the minimum listed on the label.

Wildlife
Common Problems with Burns by Mike Porter
Planning and preparation for prescribed burns should start several months or even a year prior to a burn.